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When Shen Yuan died and managed to be reincarnated with his memories for some odd reason, he was glad his family name was still Shen.
Even better, his parents apparently decided to call him Shen Yuan – his win, no new name to remember! Hah!
The world he was born into was... weird to say the least.
Parts of it seemed to be absolutely fine, while five steps further you would land in some demonic deathtrap, which was absolutely terrifying, thank you very much!
He hadn't asked for this! EVER!
Though this world was apparently set into some odd cultivation setting, and as luck had it, his family was one of the biggest remaining cultivation clans. Well, it was more like cultivation had more or less died out after some weird demon guy took over the throne of the realms and claimed himself the title of heavenly emperor.
Welp, that was his life now, and considering he lived off on the countryside – the places where the weird world structure seemed to be the most normal in human standards – he couldn't care less.
So what if there was some crazy demon guy in the capital? That was like a month of travel from his home! Not his problem! Hah!
If life gives you lemons, you ignore them and just take whatever else you have at home!
And he did exactly that.
Cultivation settings were so fucking cool.
...until your corrupted family members decide they want to be the head of the family.
Fuck that.
When Shen Yuans 14th birthday came around, his parents both disappeared while on a night hunt.
They had often gone out in the hopes of finding his older brother who had been kidnapped shortly after his birth, his mother deadset on finding her son, his father deadset on finding who was behind it.
Well, they should have known better, obviously, it would have been someone close to them in the first place. Who else would think kidnapping the child of an esteemed clan would be a good idea?!
If Shen Yuan didn't know any better, he would say he was trapped in some shitty novel with a way too predictable plot, but maybe life sometimes was just like the abomination of a stupid plot device.
....not that anyone would believe a 10-year old that continued to nag everyone about the fact, that his aunt had tried to shoo him out of the estate grounds into a ditch! He really wanted to say a loud 'told you so', but it did feel rather uh...unfitting. And he had grown rather fond of his parents in this life, they had taught him about cultivation after all!
But things were as they were, and Shen Yuan had to make sure of his own survival for now.
And so he did.
Playing the clueless 14-year-old child that had just lost his parents hadn't been hard – he had lost his guardians after all, though he might not be as clueless as his relatives hoped him to be.
Being still this young, his aunt took over the family's finances for him until he was to come off age.
If any money remained until then anyway, but considering that woman's utter inability to manage money he highly doubted it. Well, that was that, then.
Whatever at least he could still cultivate! He could just make a name for himself later! No food was necessary! He could maybe even become of those really cool immortals everyone looked up to? Yeah, yeah, he was going to do that!
Except for the fact that he was denied even that! What did his aunt mean he had to go and earn some money, hah?! Last time he checked they had been fucking rich! Where did all of his money go?! Down the fucking drain apparently! Well, thank fuck, he was not appreciating this!
And thus began Shen Yuan's life of helping out the nice elderly couple living half an hour away with fieldwork.
Cool, why didn't any of the fucking adults go and earn some money?
By now he just wished he had been transmigrated into a shitty novel instead of being reincarnated into this stupid setting! At least then he could curse someone out for this stupid turn of events!
Was life always this hard?!
Well...at least the elderly couple was nice.
And gods, they liked to gossip. Was it normal for people to know about all the details of affairs in the countryside? Because damn, old people sure enjoyed talking!
Not that he minded, no, he hadn't really been informed back at the Shen estate, but really?
This gossip was just juicy, making Shen Yuan wonder if he really hadn't just been thrown into some weird novel.
Heavenly emperor with a harem of almost 600 wives, he wasn't going to lie, it did feel familiar, but who was he to judge, it wasn't like he knew shit about this world.
Just his luck, ugh.
By the time Shen Yuan turned sweet sweet 16, there was nothing left of his family's fortune.
His relatives had started some sort of weird cold war, the relaxed atmosphere of his childhood was no more, for fuck's sake, his entire house had been sold off, leaving him to his own devices.
Well, fucking thank you, everyone.
Judging by the stuff he was eating he wouldn't be surprised to die of food poisoning. Again.
At least he had been able to hide all the important cultivation manuals away to continue his practice, whatever. His relatives could just go after each other, he would just stay like this, living in the shabby little room the elderly couple had offered to him after taking notice of his problems.
By now he was almost too informed when it came to the rumor mill.
Apparently the capital was in an uproar, the heavenly emperor losing interest in more and more of his wives – not that Shen Yuan could blame him, taking care of so many wives sounded absolutely tiring. Even if one were to talk about papapa, just think about it!
That was like... like two wives a day! While being the emperor! Who the actual fuck even had time for that?!
Well, not him, because if that was what the emperor wanted to do – good for him.
He was going to stay here and just enjoy his freshly impoverished life.
Hell yeah.
So cool.
Ugh.
The moment his aunt came to meet him on his 18th birthday, Shen Yuan knew something was off. No, no he knew something was fucking wrong by that sickeningly sweet smile on her lips.
...he had gotten quite good at this whole cultivation business, was he qualified to just shut her up before she could talk?
"A-Yuan, it's so good to see you again!", not waiting for his response his aunt dragged him into a hug, her arms feeling like shackles around him, "Have you been well? You've grown into such a handsome young man!"
"Aunt.", freeing himself out of her grip, he simply gave her a light nod – it was rude, but who even gave a shit here, spending the inheritance money someone should look after could be considered rude as well, they were even now.
Looking at her, she had seemingly grown old. Odd, considering cultivators were supposed to stay young, no? Well. Looking like shit suited her. Good.
"What do we owe the pleasure?", he snapped open a paper fan the elderly couple had gifted him a year prior. It was a simple thing, nothing too special, but he liked it regardless. Not that he needed something to cool himself down with, his cultivation already high enough to be considered decent.
"Can't I come and visit my cute little nephew?", his aunt's reply was a laugh so fake, it made his skin crawl, an ominous feeling settling down around him.
"Considering one of us ran off with a lot of money leaving the other behind, no.", Shen Yuan felt a smile creep up on his lips, his mood not matching up with his face, "Oh, but by all means, do enlighten me."
"A-Yuan, don't be like this.", the smile was returned, the chuckle making Shen Yuan feel his skin litter in goosebumps, "I simply wanted to ask you for a small favor, and you surely will comply in honor of your parents and the sake of the family."
Shen Yuan didn't miss the threatening gaze that the woman had sent towards the small hut he resided in.
Well, he would probably get out of this, but not the elderly couple that had taken him in and cared for him.
He could just...
Internally sighing, Shen Yuan decided that whatever was going to happen, he would drag his aunt down with him no matter the cost.
There he was.
Sitting in a shabby carriage on his way towards the capital, no, actually towards the moody emperor's estate. Now wasn't that just dandy.
The mood of the entire continent had turned sour, the heavenly emperor increasingly irritated and aggressive. Not that anyone knew why, but his lost interest in his wives surely played a part in this whole affair.
So holding this thought and going further, the people and demons of this land had decided to offer him more wives in hopes of appeasing their ruthless ruler. Because that made sense, apparently.
Thinking about this, the lavish green robes Shen Yuan had been dressed up with felt suffocating, his fan not helping to calm himself down.
Why was he even here?!
He was a man! Mediocre looking at that!
If... if he was going to survive his, he had to pay some of his relatives a visit, maybe have them disappear on a nighthunt aswell! It would serve them right, he had nothing to do with this!
So what if his idiot uncle had gambled with the wrong people, having to offer a sacrifice for the fucking emperor! He had a fucking daughter, he could have sent her to that fucking slaughterhouse but no, oh no, there was this little spare child they had abandoned after killing off his parents, right?!
Why not send him instead!
By now Shen Yuan wasn't just thinking his older brother had met a similar fate at their hands, he was pretty fucking sure!
Well, if he was going to meet the emperor, so be it!
If anything, maybe he could get that shitty ruler to take them out first and then kill him.
At least then Shen Yuan would see a show before he was wiped out of existence.
Luo Binghe tapped his finger against the armrest of his throne in increasing irritation, his other hand playing with the messy braid woven into his hair.
Irritating, how utterly irritating.
Servants had brought in another batch of offered candidates to join his harem, all of them kneeling before him, one dressed up prettier than the next.
Looking at them one by one, his brows furrowed, his mood souring further.
It wasn't that they weren't pretty, no, he had been brought the most delicate flowers of the entire continent, but he wasn't looking for someone beautiful.
He had more than enough beautiful wives in his household, more than he needed.
More than he wanted, if not for Xin Mo demanding to be fed.
This thought alone made him grow more and more infuriated, the kneeling women in the grand hall flinching as he let out an irritated huff.
Well, at least they all knew that his disapproval was equal to death.
Good.
Finally, his gaze fell on one of the offered wives in the back, green robes paling in comparison to the others fancy clothing, long hair braided in a simple style, head lowered so no features could be made out.
For some odd reason, it piqued the demon lords interest.
"You may leave.", his cold voice echoed through the room, his gaze fixed onto that slender frame in the back, "Except the one in the plain robes in the back."
Luo Binghe didn't know why, but he wanted that person to stay.
It was more of a whim, boredom even, but he felt his breath almost catch, as said person looked up with a mildly confused frown, overly familiar features staring straight at him.
Shen Yuan wanted to scream.
Of course. Of fucking course.
Even after dying Airplane Shooting Towards The Sky wouldn't let him live in peace! So his fucked up life was that fuckers fault! He should have known!
HE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN! Because now it seemed abundantly clear, everything bad that ever happened was that trash author's fault!
Why!
Why 'Proud Immortal Demon Way'?!
Why the actual fuck post canon PIDW?!
Had he angered some weird gods in another life? What had he done to deserve this! His comments hadn't even been as bad as others! He didn't deserve this! Not at all!
"What's your name?", if Shen Yuan didn't know any better the blackened protagonist's voice held a hint of odd curiosity, but he knew better! That guy probably just wanted to kill him on the spot! He couldn't even blame the protagonist, now knowing this was PIDW he also wanted to fucking die on the spot, so he would even thank Luo Binghe for granting him this wish!
"Shen Yuan.", peeking up towards the peerless stallion protagonist, Shen Yuan could see his red eyes gleam in the dim lights of the throne room, the tapping of his finger having stopped mid-air upon his answer.
...was it even possible to give the wrong answer when asked for one's name?!
"Shen Yuan it is.", the demon lords brows furrowed, the intensely handsome face still looking fucking heavenly despite his expression, "Do you know why I let you stay behind?"
...was that a trick question?
Was there a reason?! He had talked about plain robes, so maybe because he was an eyesore compared to the other people offered?
Why should he know! He didn't even know why he was here in the first place!
"...because this one is a man?", a low chuckle followed, Shen Yuan felt every single hair on his body rise in alarm. Wrong answer?!
"That you are.", Luo Binghe sounded oddly amused, one of his fingers starting to cradle that weird braid sticking out of his hair. Who the fuck had even braided that?! It looked absolutely sloppy!
And most important of all, why wasn't Shen Yuan dead yet?! The blackened protagonist never spoke more than a sentence to a man unless it was Mobei Jun or some other advisor!
OOC! The fucking protagonist was OOC?!
"Do you have a brother?", another weird question, Shen Yuan felt himself grow more and more irritated. Couldn't they just get this whole murder business over with already?!
"This lowly one had an older brother, but he was kidnapped at birth and hadn't been seen since then.", another answer, another low chuckle.
...had he landed in a weird fucked up quiz show or what?!
"Is that so.", the rustle of fabric echoed through the empty hall, slow steps following soon after, "Let me have a look at you."
Oh.
Oh, fuck no.
Wasn't this bad?
Really fucking bad?!
Listen, he had been ready to die, but thinking about it, maybe he really wasn't! Pain was painful! What if the blackened protagonist wanted to rip out his- his arms? Or legs?? Or anything for that matter!
His panic was stopped when black boots came to a halt at the edge of his vision. Shen Yuan didn't dare to look up. He knew the blackened protagonist of the novel if he would act out of line that was one eye gone! Or ear! Or anything for that matter!
Though his attempt of ignoring the elephant in the room – being Luo Binghe, who made a really damn handsome elephant he might add – was ruined by a slender hand reaching down to grab his chin.
He let his face be turned upwards, facing the heavenly emperor of the three realms.
Ah fuck, was he going to rip out his jaw then?!
Luo Binghe stared down in awe.
This Shen Yuan truly did look a lot like Shen Qingqiu. A coincidence? He doubted it.
There were no coincidences in this world that did not play out in his favor.
Though he had to admit, the young man's features reminded him more of that other Shen Qingqiu than his scum of a teacher.
Softer, green eyes blinking back at him with knowing fear.
A face only ever made by that Shen Qingqiu, aware of his past actions and future goals.
He would be lying if he said his interest wasn't piqued.
"Follow me.", his words made the young man's features contort into confusion, brows furrowing in an oddly endearing way, making the demon lord feel a small smile etch itself onto his lips.
Ignoring the flutter in his chest, Luo Binghe decided to go for his guest chambers.
He should have fitting robes for this Shen Yuan lying around somewhere. If anything he could keep the young man around for his entertainment, but for that he needed to get out these rags he was wearing.
Two hours later, Shen Yuan found himself in a lavishing room, exquisite robes adorning his frame, hair skillfully pulled into a quite complicated updo.
What.
Okay, but why though?!
It was an understatement to say he was absolutely confused.
Why the actual fuck was he given a room?
By the blackened protagonist?
No, wait, most importantly, why wasn't he fucking dead?!
This- this whole scenario was weird! Who had broken the protagonist?! Had that poor man hit his head somewhere?!
"Now.", Luo Binghes deep voice made him snap out of his musing. When had the protagonist even entered the room?!
"Say, who sent you here?", there was a soft smile placed on those handsome features, almost fooling Shen Yuan into thinking the demon lord was harmless. Almost, because he wasn't a fucking moron.
"Oh, my aunt apparently managed to owe someone quite a debt, so I was sent in her daughters stead.", snapping open his fan out of habit, Shen Yuan decided this was the perfect opportunity to throw his shitty family under the bus. Served them right.
"Oh really now.", Luo Binghe's eyes followed his every movement, but by now Shen Yuan had given up. He was going to die anyway, what was with all the fuss. He could at least relax in his last moments!
"Apparently taking off with my inheritance after killing both my parents and probably also my brother wasn't enough, you see.", he couldn't help but sigh, oh well. Maybe he could just put an end to this entire apparently wretched bloodline.
"What a poor soul you are.", Shen Yuan couldn't help but notice the low purr in the protagonist's voice, his body leaning closer until they were looking right into the eyes of the other, "Now tell me, Shen Yuan, where have you come from."
...huh?
Was that another trick question?
"From the countryside, my lord.", he furrowed his brows, a hint of irritation flashing through his eyes, but the demon lord only chuckled once more.
"This lord is aware, it just seems that you are quite knowledgeable of whom you are talking to, yet you seem oddly relaxed.", the protagonist cocked his head to the side, eyes pinning him in what could be called an endearing gesture if not for Shen Yuan's knowledge that Luo Binghe could simply rip his head off with a breath.
"Of course this one knows Lord Luo, the heavenly emperor.", Shen Yuan couldn't help but chuckle drily, "It is just, that I am also aware that Lord Luo will surely rid himself of me soon enough."
"So what is A-Yuans goal in sharing his story with this lord if he knows of his fate to be killed.", Luo Binghe drew even closer, breath ghosting over Shen Yuan's ear, "Is it revenge? Does A-Yuan wish for those people to die with him?"
Shen Yuan shuddered, his body stiff, eyes wary, but unable to stop the flush creeping upon his cheeks. Had he really been this obvious?
"So my lord knows?", his heart started to race in what felt like anticipation. Luo Binghe calling him by a pet name didn't feel like it would...hinder his plans, or would it?
"Of course this lord knows.", one of Luo Binghes hands reached up to cradle Shen Yuan's cheek, "But to aim to die with them, wouldn't it be wiser and far more enjoyable to watch them die?"
Shen Yuan felt his breath hitch, heart loudly pumping in his chest.
There was the thick feeling of promise in the demon lords voice that made him stop, eyes going wide in confusion. But...where was the gain for the protagonist in this deal? Luo Binghe wouldn't do anything like this for the sake of helping someone out unless it was for one of his wiv-
Oh.
"And what would my lord wish to get out of it?", now it was Shen Yuans turn to cock his head to the side, eye blinking back at Luo Binghe with utmost interest.
"A-Yuans company would be more than enough of a reward for this lord.", crimson eyes flashed, hungry eyes pinning Shen Yuan in place.
"...it would be a pleasure, then.", Shen Yuan felt his body thrum with unrestrained anticipation, lips curling into a delighted smile, as the demon lord intertwined their fingers, pressing a kiss upon his knuckles.
Oh... oh this wasn't too bad, now was it.
Shen Yuan's robes were colored a bright crimson, his sleeves dripping red droplets of blood onto the ground.
His oh so loved relatives of the Shen family laid before him, some of them ripped into shreds, others simply unrecognizable. The sight filled him with deep rooting satisfaction, a breath leaving his lips he hadn't known he had held.
Ah, what a wondrous sight indeed.
"Does A-Yuan like what he sees?", Luo Binghe's voice was a deep growl, bloodsoaked hands reaching up to cradle the young man's cheek almost adoringly, smearing the scarlet print of his hands upon Shen Yuan's face.
"Very much.", he couldn't help but chuckle, feeling the demon lord trace his lips with his thumb, surely painting them a bright crimson color aswell. He would gladly let himself be marked like this.
"Good, very good.", the protagonist drew closer, his other hand enveloping Shen Yuan's waist, dragging the smaller frame towards him with a harsh tug, making the cultivator almost stumble into the man's chest, "This lord hopes this to be a sufficient courting gift, hmm?"
"This lowly one couldn't be more content.", Shen Yuan finally managed to tear his gaze from his family, locking eyes with the feared demon lord. The anguished cries for help still echoed in his head, overtuning the silence that had fallen over the room, only to disturbed by occasional sounds of drops hitting the ground.
Oh, how very very wonderful.
"This lord will take this as A-Yuan accepting then.", Luo Binghe purred, the vibration running through Shen Yuans system, making him lean into the soft touch of the man's hands that had ripped out organs and limbs just a few minutes prior.
This seemed to be answer enough for the demon lord, as he leaned down for a hungry kiss, claiming Shen Yuans painted lips. The strong tang of iron coated both of their mouths, Luo Binghes tongue plundering Shen Yuan's mouth as if it was a territory to be conquered, making the younger man shudder, body pressing closer.
Ah, this...this wasn't too bad.
The demon lords fingers tightened their grip around his waist, the other angling his head to deepen the kiss further, a deep growl echoing through the room.
Shen Yuan wanted to chuckle, laugh in delight.
And so he did the very second Luo Binghe broke the kiss, bits of laughter slipping out of his throat, as the demon lord pressed closer against him, adoring eyes taking in his every movement, hands caressing his body, unafraid to slip into his robes and touch his bare skin, painting his body in the scarlet color Luo Binghe wanted to dress him in so badly.
Oh, he could, Shen Yuan wouldn't deny the demon lords advances.
"Does Binghe like me in red?", the last tremors of his laughter ran through Shen Yuan's voice, cheek pressed flush against the protagonist's chest.
"Oh, A-Yuan looks best in red.", Luo Binghe stepped back, both of his hands now cradling Shen Yuan's head adoringly, bringing their foreheads together, demon mark pulsing, red eyes staring right down at Shen Yuan, "This lord almost can't wait for the wedding.", another purr, "Or the wedding night."
"Does Binghe truly intend to wait?", a knowing smile played on Shen Yuan's lips, his gaze eagerly taking in the hunger shining in the demon lord's eyes, "He doesn't need to."
A growl followed, Shen Yuan's gasp silenced by another hungry kiss, hands now freely roaming his body, shoving away the fabric in their wake.
The next moment Shen Yuan found himself on his back, the protagonists figure looming over him like a predator ready to pounce on his prey but despite anything it made him feel content, his hands caressing the man's sides lovingly.
"This lord hadn't known A-Yuan enjoys spectators.", a low rumble went through the man's body, hands continuing to paint Shen Yuan's skin with the blood of his victims.
Shen Yuan could only huff, his mind in a daze by both the heated kiss he had received and the high of having finally given those people what they had deserved.
His lips quirked into a smile, hands dragging Luo Binghe down to meet his lips in a soft kiss.
"Let them see what their plotting has brought them.", Shen Yuan couldn't help but feel a moan escape his lips as Luo Binghe bit into his shoulder teasingly, licking over his sensitive skin.
"Hmm, this lord appreciates A-Yuans taste.", Luo Binghe continued to roam over Shen Yuan's body, teeth nibbling and biting teasingly, hands stroking and caressing lovingly, "He will happily indulge his husband."
Shen Yuan let his eyes wander for a second, taking in the room once more.
Scarlet painted the walls, limbs lay about, simply discarded in Luo Binghe's previous bloodlust. Beautiful.
His hands were buried into the demon lord's hair, tugging at the curly mane teasingly, sometimes harshly if Luo Binghe decided to give a particularly hard bite. "Binghe.", his voice was raspy, Luo Binghe answering with another bite into his supple thighs.
"A-Yuan simply looks too delicious to pass off.", another low chuckle followed the demon lord trailing kisses down the soft flesh in his hands, mouth ready to claim every inch of this beautiful and yielding body.
Another gasp left Shen Yuan's lips, as he let himself be devoured in the middle of what he had once called family.
Oh, how they deserved it.
-
Carrying Shen Yuan back home, Luo Binghe couldn't help but chuckle.
The slender body was utterly spent, his skin littered in bites and marks, and most of all blood Luo Binghe wasn't sure of if it was his or the corpses.
He hadn't expected this young man to be this... wild and willing.
It was a welcome surprise, but as they said, great minds tended to think alike.
Oh, and how he adored this pretty little humans mind.
If anything, Luo Binghe was sure he would enjoy life with his new companion, very much so.
And thinking about it...didn't he have the most wonderful wedding gift waiting in his underground prison cell?
He couldn't hold back a chuckle at that thought, hands gripping tighter into the supple flesh they were holding, oh he would gladly put Shen Qingqiu back together if it was for his precious little A-Yuan, what happened afterwards, his husband could decide. Though Luo Binghe was sure he would appreciate the gift.